Who played Sirius Black in Harry Potter?

Last Modified Feb 4, 2025 02:30 EST
Who played Sirius Black in Harry Potter?
Sirius Black (Source: harrypotter.com)


The English actor Gary Oldman played Sirius Black in Harry Potter.


Sirius Black is a fictional character from J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter book series. In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Sirius was initially mentioned in brief as a wizard who, soon after Lord Voldemort killed James and Lily Potter, lent Rubeus Hagrid his flying motorcycle. In the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, he plays a significant role as the title prisoner and is also revealed to be Harry Potter's godfather.


Who played Sirius Black in Harry Potter?


Who played Sirius Black in Harry Potter?
Gary Oldman as Sirius Black (Source: Screengrab from the film)


Gary Oldman portrays Sirius Black in Harry Potter films.


Oldman made a comeback to the spotlight in 2004 when he was cast as Sirius Black, the godfather of Harry Potter, in the Harry Potter film series. His debut was in the 2004 film The Prisoner of Azkaban. He went on to play the character in the movies The Goblet of Fire (2005), The Order of the Phoenix (2007), and The Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011).


Gary Oldman was born in England on March 21, 1958. He has won multiple awards, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, three British Academy Film Awards, and nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards. He is well-known for his variety and dramatic acting approach. He is among the highest-grossing actors of all time, with his films having made over $11 billion worldwide.


Sirius Black in Harry Potter


Sirius Black III was born in the London district of Islington, England on November 3, 1959, to second cousins Walburga Black and Orion Black, both Dark magicians. In the past, the House of Black was a prominent pure-blood wizarding family, and he was the sole surviving heir. Sirius had a younger brother named Regulus. Considering his brother to be a "better son" than himself, Sirius did not have a close relationship with him.


As part of a family practice that involved naming children after stars, constellations, and galaxies, "Sirius" was a traditional Black family name that appeared in at least three generations. There have also been at least two instances of the names Cygnus, Arcturus, and Regulus. Since he had no children, it is noteworthy that only one Sirius—the subject's great-grandfather—left a line of descent, ending with the youngest Sirius.


Who played Sirius Black in Harry Potter?
Sirius Black (Source: harrypotter.com)


The Black family had a strong belief in elitism based on pure blood. They disowned Squib family members, including Sirius's great-uncle Marius Black, and refused to associate with Muggles or Muggle-born people, Squibs, or blood traitors. They also insisted that their family members only marry within respectable pure-blood classes, which led to them being forced to marry their own cousins. They revered the Dark Arts as well.


Sirius' rejection of these principles caused him to have disagreements with his family. To highlight his differences from the family and annoy his parents, he even permanently adhered charms of Gryffindor banners, photos of Muggle girls riding motorcycles and bikinis, and a portrait of himself and his Gryffindor buddies to the walls of his room.


Sirius disliked his cousins Bellatrix and Narcissa for their desired pure-blood unions with Rodolphus Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy, respectively. Andromeda, his favorite cousin, was rejected by the family for being a "blood traitor" after she wed Ted Tonks, a wizard of Muggle descent. Later, Sirius would also be given this title, and some of his family members detested and even hated him for it.


Also read: Harry Potter Cast

FAQs about Sirius Black

A. In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Sirius plays a significant role as both the presumed antagonist and the protagonist Harry Potter's godfather. 

A. Sirius Black is Harry Potter’s godfather.

A. In 1995, Sirius returned to the Order following Lord Voldemort's return. During the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, he was killed by his cousin Bellatrix Lestrange. 

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